Francis Lawrence
Red Sparrow

While shamelessly relying on the beauty and forms of the lead actress, Red Sparrow is a film that knows how to entertain well and even offers a touch of originality in the worn-out scenario of espionage between Russia and America, updated, in this case, to modern times, because «the Cold War never ended».

The simplifications are enormous when characterizing the two opposing powers. Too obvious not to be caricatural, comic-book-like. It seems more a parody of Cold War espionage stories, a farce decidedly in step with the times. Several characters populating the events are two-dimensional, not due to mediocre writing but due to the intent of poking fun at this type of intrigue, to ridicule the Russians as much as (albeit a bit less) the Americans. If the Russians are violent, the Americans are clumsy and do-gooders.

It is a postmodern intrigue, one might say. Totally unpredictable, expanded into infinite diegetic niches that might work or not. Frankly, there are so many twists that at a certain point one stops making a critical analysis, unable to say with precision if they are all realistic. Disbelief is suspended, and you enjoy the show, which is not bad. There is also an aspect that is particularly fresh, perhaps not novel but appreciable: the ultimate bluff of a spy... is to tell the truth. But at that point, understanding their real intentions becomes impossible. In short, it's all a paradox of this kind, a snake eating its tail.

The character portrayed by Jennifer Lawrence is a good one, although there are doubts about the credibility of her training path, at least initially. Tremendously fascinating and sensual, her strength lies in her ability to truly understand what the people in front of her want. And it seems to me that the actress has found a new dimension, which contrasts well with her very sweet traits. The role of the femme fatale, irresistible and tremendous, fits perfectly with her figure. And it's also a nice profile of a woman, given the cultural climate: she certainly knows how to use her body, but she has a high sense of dignity and annihilates her opponents with intelligence. Cunning makes her stronger than any brutal man.

An entertaining film, therefore, despite an elementary direction and a few too many contrivances. Stylistically poor, it bets everything on the charisma of the actors and a very good management of rhythm.

6/10